Hospitality Mavericks Podcast Show

Michael Tingsager

We wanted to show there was another way to build and lead businesses. So Hospitality Mavericks was born. We wanted to gather together the world’s Mavericks who do things differently from the norm. They are leaders from all walks of life who have shown and proven that there is a better way forward without cashing out on their values; ripping off their people, community and planet. That was over ten years ago. Since then we've worked with and interviewed more than 200 leaders, thinkers and experts on the best way to build a business that makes a positive impact on all stakeholders. We are the home to impactful leaders that KNOW and DO things in a better way. A network for those seeking a different path. So don’t just be like the others! Dare to Be Different ✊ This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

  1. #325 Stephen Logue Consultant at Hospitality Blueprints - Why Cleanliness and Service Can Beat Food

    11h ago

    #325 Stephen Logue Consultant at Hospitality Blueprints - Why Cleanliness and Service Can Beat Food

    Michael interviews Stephen Logue, an economist and former FMCG marketer who became marketing director at Berni Inns, founded a research-led consultancy, and later owned restaurants. Logue explains how market research identified five consistent drivers of restaurant success—cleanliness, service, atmosphere, food quality, and value for money—and how redesigning and standardizing Berni Inns (including work with Conran) lifted sales and won a Catey. He argues hospitality underinvests in service, emphasizing “hire character, train skills,” building staff confidence and self-belief, and using tools like mystery visits and customer research. He shares “runners and riders” concept testing, a successful Greek concept at Meadowhall, lessons from Wetherspoon’s standards and value focus, and the financial importance of repeat customers. Logue now supports independents via pro bono work and promotes simple cost control, menu margin analysis, and clear service promises. Connect with Stephen Logue: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-logue-47227757/ https://www.hospitalityblueprints.com/ https://youtu.be/2_E_EBbdXpU?si=_0cECaQouijt_8LS https://www.hospitalityblueprints.com/masterclass-videos Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Magic-Malls-Incredible-Customer-Service/dp/1910090638/ref=sr_1_3?crid=GEM2XLEJMP0P&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lw06nq8ML3KTk_rhrQVeIK8X9HSz5KW3t9INoXg7iSTGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.bEQQL7nAGqgyohrPiRxbrwgf3N_jm-_O3tqE8QOnVBw&dib_tag=se&keywords=Stephen+Logue&qid=1780948637&sprefix=stephen+logue%2Caps%2C232&sr=8-3 Connect with the podcast Join the Hospitality Mavericks newsletter Tune in via your favourite podcast platform - here More episodes for you to check out here A big thank you to our episode sponsor Monotree. They help hospitality operators strengthen operations and scale company culture by creating a "Branded Front Door" for your workforce. Head to their website to sign up. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

    57 min
  2. #324 Sam Jett Executive Chef at Audrey - Appalachian Cuisine, Local Sourcing, and Circular Restaurant Systems

    May 28

    #324 Sam Jett Executive Chef at Audrey - Appalachian Cuisine, Local Sourcing, and Circular Restaurant Systems

    In this episode, Michael speaks with chef Sam Jett about building restaurants that serve communities, people, and the planet. Sam shares how he shifted from a planned healthcare path into cooking, credits McDonald’s for teaching standards and systems, and recounts formative time in Copenhagen kitchens including Relæ and Noma. After years as Sean Brock’s right-hand leader across multiple brands, Sam took over Audrey and refocused it on Appalachian heritage: removing luxury imported ingredients, tightening sourcing “guardrails,” and adopting a zero-waste mindset. He describes a network of about 26 regional farms/producers supplying roughly 95% of the menu and a CSA-style budgeting approach where farmers send what they choose, including imperfect crops that the team transforms using the restaurant’s lab. Sam explains making the economics work through circular “mini-ecosystems” and multiple revenue streams, and emphasizes relationships and trust as the core leadership principle. Connect with Sam: https://www.instagram.com/samuel.jett/?hl=en https://www.audreynashville.com/ Connect with the podcast Join the Hospitality Mavericks newsletter Tune in via your favourite podcast platform - here More episodes for you to check out here A big thank you to our episode sponsor Monotree. They help hospitality operators strengthen operations and scale company culture by creating a "Branded Front Door" for your workforce. Head to their website to sign up. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

    51 min
  3. #323 Alexander Kjerulf Chief Happiness Officer at  Woohoo Inc. - Stop Putting the Customer First

    May 14

    #323 Alexander Kjerulf Chief Happiness Officer at  Woohoo Inc. - Stop Putting the Customer First

    In this episode, Michael interviews Alexander Kjerulf, a former tech entrepreneur who founded a company in 2003 focused on happiness at work and has delivered talks and workshops in over 50 countries for clients including Microsoft, IKEA, IBM, Hilton, and Shell. They discuss research linking workplace happiness to higher productivity, creativity, retention, lower absenteeism, and stronger company results including profitability, growth, employer brand, and stock performance, alongside an ethical responsibility for leaders. A central theme is improving customer experience by putting employees first and rejecting “the customer is always right,” which can betray staff and reward abusive customers; examples include a hotel manager enforcing rules, Southwest Airlines “we will miss you” letter, and buying a rude passenger a competitor ticket. Practical practices include training and culture immersion (Zappos), celebrating great service stories, giving frontline autonomy (Nordstrom, Middelfart Sparekasse), measuring care over efficiency, hiring carefully, and using weekly feedback tools like Heartcount. Connect with Alexander: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chiefhappinessofficer/ https://positivesharing.com/2006/07/why-the-customer-is-always-right-results-in-bad-customer-service/ https://woohooinc.com/ https://heartcount.com/ Books: Everybody Matters - Bob Chapman https://uk.bookshop.org/a/8596/9780241975411 Hug your customers - Jack Mitchell https://uk.bookshop.org/a/8596/9781401398040 Hug your people - Jack Mitchell https://uk.bookshop.org/a/8596/9780553820089 Connect with the podcast Join the Hospitality Mavericks newsletter Tune in via your favourite podcast platform - here More episodes for you to check out here A big thank you to our episode sponsor Monotree. They help hospitality operators strengthen operations and scale company culture by creating a "Branded Front Door" for your workforce. Head to their website to sign up. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

    1h 5m
  4. #322 Graziano Cocco Performance Mental Coach - Lessons from Elite Sport for Hospitality Leaders

    Apr 30

    #322 Graziano Cocco Performance Mental Coach - Lessons from Elite Sport for Hospitality Leaders

    Michael interviews performance mental coach Graziano Cocco about what separates thriving “maverick” leaders from those merely surviving and how to build high-performance teams. Graziano shares his journey from London hospitality roles (including Head of People) to founding Inside Up, coaching football for 10 years and working at Crystal Palace plus athletes in sports such as tennis and rugby, while consulting hospitality businesses including ARO QD and DRG in Glasgow. They discuss why mental toughness matters in today’s pressured hospitality environment, reframing “I have to” to “I get to,” and prioritizing self-management because leaders can’t pour from an empty cup. Key team elements include trust, conflict navigation, commitment, clear goals and accountability, and praising effort. Graciano introduces the “Plan–Do–Review” habit using a plus/Kaizen reflection and recommends setting daily intentions and visualization. Connect with Graziano: https://www.linkedin.com/in/graziano-cocco-b6b39158/ https://insightup.co.uk/ Connect with the podcast Join the Hospitality Mavericks newsletter Tune in via your favourite podcast platform - here More episodes for you to check out here A big thank you to our episode sponsor Monotree. They help hospitality operators strengthen operations and scale company culture by creating a "Branded Front Door" for your workforce. Head to their website to sign up. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

    59 min
  5. #321 Anthony Collins Founder at Work Better Studio - Lean Thinking in Hospitality: Fix the System, Not the People

    Apr 16

    #321 Anthony Collins Founder at Work Better Studio - Lean Thinking in Hospitality: Fix the System, Not the People

    Michael interviews Anthony Collins, founder of Work Better Studio, about applying lean thinking and the service-profit chain in hospitality and service businesses by focusing on processes and resources rather than blaming people. Collins shares his path from graphic design to founding DirectSki.com, acquiring Ski Beat, and becoming group CEO of Topflight Travel Group, then leaving to advise companies on productivity, quality, and process improvement. He explains lean’s roots in postwar Japanese quality-first principles and describes using Enterprise Ireland training and Toyota-led practical problem-solving to build capability before crises like COVID. A key case study shows how small chalet maintenance issues hurt both staff workload and NPS, leading to a preventative maintenance program, revised seasonal hiring, fewer management layers, and improved autonomy. The conversation covers PDCA, frontline observation, controlled tension, recruitment and training (one-point lessons), and why AI can optimize the wrong work and reinforce silos without system thinking. Connect with Anthony: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antocollins/ https://www.workbetter.studio/ Connect with the podcast Join the Hospitality Mavericks newsletter Tune in via your favourite podcast platform - here More episodes for you to check out here A big thank you to our episode sponsor Monotree. They help hospitality operators strengthen operations and scale company culture by creating a "Branded Front Door" for your workforce. Head to their website to sign up. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

    1h 6m
  6. #320 Gregers Knudsen Co-founder and CEO at Monotree - Powering Frontline Culture in Hospitality

    Apr 2

    #320 Gregers Knudsen Co-founder and CEO at Monotree - Powering Frontline Culture in Hospitality

    In a Copenhagen podcast, Michael interviews Gregers Knudsen, co-founder of Monotree, about creating a platform that unifies frontline communication, onboarding/learning, checklists, and events on top of workforce management systems to replace fragmented tools like Facebook, WhatsApp, and overpowered enterprise software. Gregers traces his path from hospitality into tech (via Planday), where he saw multi-site operators struggling with too many disconnected systems, unused spend, and GDPR risks. He and two senior tech partners began building Monetary in 2018, launched in 2019 with a 1,500-employee customer, stayed self-funded for control, long-term product quality, and customer service, and have grown to nearly 300 customers and about 85,000 users across 18 countries, with UK as a key growth market. They discuss engagement drivers, manager enablement, using video content, culture as an amplifier, and cautious, practical AI use focused on removing boring work rather than automating human relationships. Connect with Gregers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregers-knudsen-9a0a23148/ https://monotree.com/ A big thank you to our episode sponsor Monotree. They help hospitality operators strengthen operations and scale company culture by creating a "Branded Front Door" for your workforce. Head to their website to sign up. Connect with the podcast Join the Hospitality Mavericks newsletter Tune in via your favourite podcast platform - here More episodes for you to check out here This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

    1h 11m
  7. #319 Bjarke Just Nielsen Founder at Norrlyst Koncernen - Scaling Restaurant Quality with Tech and Culture

    Mar 19

    #319 Bjarke Just Nielsen Founder at Norrlyst Koncernen - Scaling Restaurant Quality with Tech and Culture

    Michael interviews Bjarke Just Nielsen, founder of Norrlyst Koncernen in Copenhagen, about building a fast-growing restaurant ecosystem and related tech companies. Nielsen left corporate roles at Novo Nordisk and TDC, opened his first restaurant about five and a half years ago, then pivoted during COVID—without government support—by keeping staff and launching a deli that succeeded, accelerating his focus on online customer acquisition and data. Today the group operates about 20 restaurants with roughly 550 employees, serves around a million guests yearly, and runs centralized systems where a small team drives demand using a toolbox of 16 traffic levers while restaurants focus on delivering the promised experience. He discusses agility over rigid planning, professionalizing the organization through disciplined hiring, pursuing Michelin recognition with intense preparation, leadership role clarity, and upcoming projects including new tech initiatives, convenience stores, and a large all-day restaurant. Connect with Bjarke: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bjarke-just-nielsen-6a71445b/ https://norrlyst.dk/ https://freetable.com/ https://eater.dk/ Connect with the podcast Join the Hospitality Mavericks newsletter Tune in via your favourite podcast platform - here More episodes for you to check out here A big thank you to our episode sponsor Monotree. They help hospitality operators strengthen operations and scale company culture by creating a "Branded Front Door" for your workforce. Head to their website to sign up. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

    1h 9m
  8. #318 Lars Kure Juul Founder at GNTL - Gentle Giants and Purpose-Driven Leadership

    Mar 5

    #318 Lars Kure Juul Founder at GNTL - Gentle Giants and Purpose-Driven Leadership

    Michael welcomes returning guest Lars Kure Juul, author of The Happiness Sweet Spot and his new book Compassion in Action, to discuss why leaders gravitated most to the compassion chapter and how it led to deeper work on self-compassion and implementation. Lars argues compassion is active (beyond empathy): interest in others’ difficulties plus a desire to act, building trust, psychological safety, and high-performing teams. They explore leadership challenges amid rising burnout, declining engagement and belonging (citing Gallup), and why strong leaders aren’t loud. Practical themes include presence and deep listening, avoiding distractions like phones and laptops, asking better questions (“tell me more”), and servant leadership as serving others and the future by downplaying ego. They critique leaders hiding behind complex systems, emphasize belonging (seen, able to contribute, proud), and frame compassion and humanity as the next leadership revolution. Connect with Lars: https://www.gntlgiant.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gntlgiant/?miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniProfile%3AACoAAAASe5YB8EcFe2HlD2gLYVSp9OeaRmTXCxc Connect with the podcast Join the Hospitality Mavericks newsletter Tune in via your favourite podcast platform - here More episodes for you to check out here A big thank you to our episode sponsor Monotree. They help hospitality operators strengthen operations and scale company culture by creating a "Branded Front Door" for your workforce. Head to their website to sign up. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

    1h 8m
4.5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

We wanted to show there was another way to build and lead businesses. So Hospitality Mavericks was born. We wanted to gather together the world’s Mavericks who do things differently from the norm. They are leaders from all walks of life who have shown and proven that there is a better way forward without cashing out on their values; ripping off their people, community and planet. That was over ten years ago. Since then we've worked with and interviewed more than 200 leaders, thinkers and experts on the best way to build a business that makes a positive impact on all stakeholders. We are the home to impactful leaders that KNOW and DO things in a better way. A network for those seeking a different path. So don’t just be like the others! Dare to Be Different ✊ This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

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